Tabby visits the vet, my Decorex 2015 highlights

April 24, 2015 ramblinglitchi 1 Comment

This past week has been a productive one, but most of the photos I took were of little Bassie. The reason? We took her to the vet on Saturday for a check up and she had an operation on Monday as a result. She’s fine and dandy now and acting like nothing happened, but it was quite traumatic for a doggie mom. Of course, there are photos of other moments from the week below, too…

Friday, 17 April 2015: Doggy sunset beach walks

I never tire of the view of the mountain from the MyCiti stop on Section Street, where I sometimes meet Husband after work

Who's an excited boy, then? Bertie always grins broadly when he gets in the car with his walking vest on as he knows he is off to the beach — Who’s an excited boy, then? Bertie always grins broadly when he gets in the car with his walking vest on as he knows he is off to the beach

A streaky mix of Bassie and sunset on the way to the beach. Love.

That sandy nose is always a sure sign she's enjoyed her trot along the beach — That sandy nose is always a sure sign she’s enjoyed her trot along the beach

Saturday, 18 April 2015: Bassie visits the vet and we play Scrabble by candlelight

Started my Saturday with a Mugg & Bean easy cappuccino. Just right for me, as always.

We picked up our new prescription sunnies that morning... — We picked up our new prescription sunnies that morning…

Little Miss Bassie with her treat bag from the vet - you can see the lump that was removed, still on her belly in this shot — Little Miss Bassie with her treat bag from the vet – you can see the lump that was removed, still on her belly in this shot

Bertie looks more excited about the 'treat for being a good girl at the vet' than Bassie does. That's because he'd survived being on his own for half-an-hour for the first time ever. — Bertie looks more excited about the ‘treat for being a good girl at the vet’ than Bassie does. That’s because he’d survived being on his own for half-an-hour for the first time ever.

Candlelit Scrabble at the braai fire that night, as we were loadshed. Bassie helped me but we STILL lost to the Boys' team! — Candlelit Scrabble at the braai fire that night, as we were loadshed. Bassie helped me but we STILL lost to the Boys’ team!

Sunday, 19 April 2015: Hipster breakfast at Craft House Eatery

On Sunday I insisted on going to a hipster-ish place as I love their muesli jar breakfast. They did not have any form of Cola in their fridge. Husband had to make do with a Hunter's Dry, at 9am. Sacrilege. — On Sunday I insisted on going to a hipster-ish place as I love their muesli jar breakfast. They did not have any form of Cola in their fridge. Husband had to make do with a Hunter’s Dry, at 9am. Sacrilege.

The famed 'berries and banana' jar. Just delightful, and if the berries are too tart and the plain yoghurt too plain, you can drizzle the little pot of honey all over it (of course I did). — The famed ‘berries and banana’ jar. Just delightful, and if the berries are too tart and the plain yoghurt too plain, you can drizzle the little pot of honey all over it (of course I did).

Monday, 20 April 2015: Blankets and loadshedding

Comforting the little one once she was back home from her surgery Monday eve.

Bertie and his dad (and Bertie's favourite toy) sat together for some of the loadshedding on Monday eve. — Bertie and his dad (and Bertie’s favourite toy) sat together for some of the loadshedding on Monday eve.

Bassie all snug in her brand new blanket from Granny.

Not the same blanket - Bertie got one too. — Not the same blanket – Bertie got one too.

Friday, 24 April 2015: Creative Business Exchange and Decorex CT

Whenever I'm at the CTICC I stop at their welcome desk to see their attractive flower display... — Whenever I’m at the CTICC I stop at their welcome desk to see their attractive flower display…

My attempt at capturing the lovely view out the window of the CTICC. Fail.

My desk for the day. Time flew as I scribbled notes and tweeted up a storm. Such a wonderful event!

The event was part of Decorex, open at the CTICC all weekend. I spent longer than I intended wandering around the Expo hall.

Beautiful orchid display. I'd love one but they're fussy children, I hear. — Beautiful orchid display. I’d love one but they’re fussy children, I hear.

How very inviting! Just one of the display stands I paused at on my 'quick zip through the Expo' — How very inviting! Just one of the display stands I paused at on my ‘quick zip through the Expo’

How beautiful are these? You can't really see but they're foil artworks, so they shimmer and catch the light in different ways. — How beautiful are these? You can’t really see but they’re foil artworks, so they shimmer and catch the light in different ways.

Just one of the intriguing lighting displays

This 'black sheep' mobile in a word art-covered stand was another where I dawdled, gaping at all the pretty things. — This ‘black sheep’ mobile in a word art-covered stand was another where I dawdled, gaping at all the pretty things.

That’s all, folks – cheers to two three-day weekends in a row 😉

Photos and memories

Husband faces Man vs Food non-challenge, Bertie meets fireplace and new tree

April 17, 2015 ramblinglitchi 4 Comments

Helloooooo, blog reader! Why yes, we are indeed at the outer edge of another weekend. The past week’s highlights are below, plus I have a new treat in store for you – Husband has started a Zomato account, so you can read up on his thoughts of our meals out – don’t just rely on my photos. Click here to see his first few reviews, all from the past week, and scroll down below to see some of my favourite sights…

Friday, 10 April 2015: Sunrise and burger specials

We left the house early enough to catch the sunrise last Friday. Tis a very long road indeed to work. Roughly 17km one way.

My chocolate shake at Plur Cafe, just down the road from home last Friday. — My chocolate shake at Plur Cafe, just down the road from home last Friday, when I finally reached home ground again.

Husband even looks well rested against this beachy decor - he'd been in bed with a migraine all day, poor thing. His burger with mushroom sauce soon perked him up, though. — Husband even looks well rested against this beachy decor – he’d been in bed with a migraine all day, poor thing. His burger with mushroom sauce soon perked him up, though.

Saturday, 11 April 2015: Breakfast at Signal Gun, tree planting and lupper at Sticky Fingers

A foam heart with halo things at the Ke Monate restaurant at Signal Gun along the Durbanville wine route. Couldn't start the day without it. — A foam heart with halo things at the Ke Monate restaurant at Signal Gun along the Durbanville wine route. Couldn’t start the day without it.

Here is Husband with his Coke, at last. The large tree behind him was dressed in all sorts of fabric.

Poor Husband, sitting and waiting for his breakfast to arrive. Took almost an hour. Luckily the setting really was something to look at and distract us.

See? One tiny section of the Signal Gun... — See? One tiny section of the Signal Gun…

Finally there was food! This was my healthy option - plain yoghurt, honey, lots of fresh fruit and granola under it all — Finally there was food! This was my healthy option – plain yoghurt, honey, lots of fresh fruit and granola under it all

Husband had the'ladies poached' - basically eggs ben on hash browns with the hollandaise in a side dish, to smear on as you wish. — Husband had the’ladies poached’ – basically eggs ben on hash browns with the hollandaise in a side dish, to smear on as you wish.

Look who we found, while wandering around our local Stark Ayres nursery! The eagle owl who'd take up residence at West Coast Village the week before! — Look who we found, while wandering around our local Stark Ayres nursery! The eagle owl who’d take up residence at West Coast Village the week before!

Husband explaining something (probably about the new tree) to Bertie.

Bertie was Very Interested in the whole tree planting process. We now have a young Natal Fig smack bang in our back garden, yay!

My coffee shake at Sticky Fingers, Obz. The waiter wanted me to try a fancier option, like the Ferrero Rocher option, clearly not understanding my love of all things java ( Ahem, apart from java script). — My coffee shake at Sticky Fingers, Obz. The waiter wanted me to try a fancier option, like the Ferrero Rocher concoction, clearly not understanding my love of all things java ( Ahem, apart from java script. Am not a coder, as I learned in previous day job).

Husband enjoyed his craft beer at Sticky Fingers

My bacon cheese fries. An enormous portion, and the bacon had a sweet marinade of sorts. Actually couldn't finish, even with Husband's help. Gave my doggy box to the car guard. — My bacon cheese fries. An enormous portion, and the bacon had a sweet marinade of sorts. Actually couldn’t finish, even with Husband’s help. Gave my doggy box to the car guard.

Husband tucking into the Man vs Food 'from hell' supposedly hot burger. He raised an eyebrow and wolfed it down. — Husband tucking into the Man vs Food ‘from hell’ supposedly hot burger. He raised an eyebrow and wolfed it down.

Sunday, 12 April 2015: More gardening, more breakfast, and a funny Bassie

Yay, a little side biscuit with my Sunday morning breakfast! This was at Lisa's, at Stodel's Garden Centre near Royal Ascot — Yay, a little side biscuit with my Sunday morning breakfast! This was at Lisa’s, at Stodel’s Garden Centre near Royal Ascot

Husband had this Dutch Uitsmuijter breakfast.

I had this very large croissant, filled with apricot jam and grated cheese.

The table has a tail! Oh wait, that's Bassie hiding from the camera. Funny child. — The table has a tail! Oh wait, that’s Bassie hiding from the camera. Funny child.

Tuesday, 14 April 2015: Rainy sunrise and office cupcakes

Another sunrise on the way to work, this time in the rain.

Who ever said pink and red don't mix well clearly did not try these little delights from Woolies — Who ever said pink and red don’t mix well clearly did not try these little delights from Woolies.

Thursday, 16 April 2015: Fireplace tester

Bertie and his dad discussing the fire. We used the fireplace for the first time in this house during a nasty bout of loadshedding while a chilly wind blew. T'was marvelous. — Bertie and his dad discussing the fire. We used the fireplace for the first time in this house during a nasty bout of loadshedding while a chilly wind blew. T’was marvelous. Warm and bright and toasty.

That’s all, folks! Feels like winter gave us an early lick last week, here’s hoping for a final touch of summer over the next few days!

Photos and memories

Easter weekend 2015: Banana split sundaes and Durbanville emus

April 10, 2015 ramblinglitchi 2 Comments

It’s funny how a shortened work week never really feels shorter. That’s because we tend to still fit in a full five days’ worth of work, so the day off is lovely and relaxing but by the time you reach the end of the week again, you’re exhausted. Multiply that by two weeks and it’s little wonder Husband and I are both a bit poorly today. Nonetheless, we have indeed made it to the edge of the weekend again. And so, without further ado (or ‘further adieu’, as I’m seeing it lately – why is this?) I present to you how we spent our long Easter weekend 2015…

Thursday, 2 April 2015: Easter weekend eve celebrations

Dad and Husband with their 'long weekend at last' drinks at the Driftwood. Lighting made everything very pink in this shot. We were there for the Moroccan buffet, tis a good deal. — Dad and Husband with their ‘long weekend at last’ drinks at the Driftwood. Lighting made everything very pink in this shot. We were there for the Moroccan buffet, tis a good deal.

Friday, 3 April 2015: Good Friday gardening

You need a big breakfast if you have a busy day of gardening ahead. So once we'd slept in a little later than normal, we trotted off to our nearest Spur for their R25 breakfast special. This is clearly before I'd started my cafe latte... — You need a big breakfast if you have a busy day of gardening ahead. So once we’d slept in a little later than normal, we trotted off to our nearest Spur for their R25 breakfast special. This is clearly before I’d started my cafe latte…

And here is Husband with his breakfast - he always gets an extra cheese griller, and the huge Tabasco sauce bottle — And here is Husband with his breakfast – he always gets an extra cheese griller, and the huge Tabasco sauce bottle

As part of the gardening, we finally put the swing bench up in our new front garden. Both doggies tested it with me, as they do.

Saturday, 4 April 2015: treating ourselves to a new lounge recliner set

Inexpensive yet filling breakfast from McDonald's - the hot cakes (I always want to ask if they sell like hot cakes, har har) with the coffee that came as part of Husband's McMuffin meal. — Inexpensive yet filling breakfast from McDonald’s – the hot cakes (I always want to ask if they sell like hot cakes, har har) with the coffee that came as part of Husband’s McMuffin meal.

Cheers to Husband, who won our Scrabble game that eve. Again. I'm yet to beat him :( — Cheers to Husband, who won our Scrabble game that eve. Again. I’m yet to beat him 😦

Sunday, 5 April 2015: Easter Sunday slow-cooked beef and beer stew

We usually end up with a photo of the McPherson's garden centre cat at the same table as Husband. This time he curled up inside while we braved the windy outdoors. — We usually end up with a photo of the McPherson’s garden centre cat at the same table as Husband. This time he curled up inside while we braved the windy outdoors.

You'd think it was Valentine's Day, not Easter. Loved all the brightly coloured flowers... — You’d think it was Valentine’s Day, not Easter. Loved all the brightly coloured flowers…

And look! Mum and Dad said the Easter bunny dropped this off for me, so they brought it along for our Easter slow-cooked lunch. Beautiful purplish flowers with a few marshmallow eggs planted throughout.

The Easter flowers look just right in my garden 'wall of weird'. — The Easter flowers look just right in my garden ‘wall of weird’.

Of course the second before I took this photo you would have seen Bassie perched on top of the couch along with Bertie. She has super-fast reflexes when I get the camera out, that one.

Bassie baby loved all the attention from Granny.

What do you get, when your Easter dessert ingredients look like this?

You get this! Tall banana split sundaes, with tin roof ice cream, maraschino cherries, nuts, and blobs of Nutella-stuff. Mmm.

Mmm. More of the Nutella-like stuff. Delicious.

Bassie was Very Interested in mine and kept veering towards it.

Monday, 6 April 2015: End of long weekend sunset

When it's the last day of a long weekend, we treat ourselves to a fancier breakfast. This is me greeting the porcelain bunnies at the welcome desk of Crown, a restaurant on the Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, just down the street from home. Sort of. — When it’s the last day of a long weekend, we treat ourselves to a fancier breakfast. This is me greeting the porcelain bunnies at the welcome desk of Crown, a restaurant on the Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville, just down the street from home. Sort of.

My cappuccino was THE most amazing. Very nearly ordered another.

And then! My breakfast! Delicious cake-like French toast and lots of slivers of banana - and just look at the amount of crispy, streaky bacon that adorned my plate! Husband had to help me finish! — And then! My breakfast! Delicious cake-like French toast and lots of slivers of banana – and just look at the amount of crispy, streaky bacon that adorned my plate! Husband had to help me finish!

Just look at Husband's salmon eggs ben! With a drizzle of some form of dark sauce, we think it was balsamic vinegar. — Just look at Husband’s salmon eggs ben! With a drizzle of some form of dark sauce, we think it was balsamic vinegar.

Some of the lovely bright Durbanville sights... — Some of the lovely bright Durbanville sights…

Caught in the act: Husband's Sunday afternoon large banana milkshake at our local Wimpy. — Caught in the act: Husband’s Sunday afternoon large banana milkshake at our local Wimpy.

My absolutely wonderful Wimpy shake. I went for the 'salted caramel brownie' option - little chunks of brownie were swirled throughout, so I put that spoon to use. — My absolutely wonderful Wimpy shake. I went for the ‘salted caramel brownie’ option – little chunks of brownie were swirled throughout, so I put that spoon to use.

If you live in Table View, you'll have heard an owl has taken up residence at one of our local shopping centres. I happened to look up after our milkshake visit and there he was! — If you live in Table View, you’ll have heard an owl has taken up residence at one of our local shopping centres. I happened to look up after our milkshake visit and there he was!

Mum-in-law identified him as an eagle owl. He seems very sleepy.

This is how poor Husband had to drive to the parents' house for lupper - with his aviation headset blocking out Bertie's enthusiastic shouting/singing/greeting all the way there. — This is how poor Husband had to drive to the parents’ house for lupper – with his aviation headset blocking out Bertie’s enthusiastic shouting/singing/greeting all the way there.

Sunset was very pretty that evening, with clouds that turned pink... — Sunset was very pretty that evening, with clouds that turned pink…

Thursday, 9 April 2015: Woodstock graffiti

A much-needed pick-up in the office, provided by a colleague.

I couldn't resist stopping to snap this baboon painted onto a random wall in Woodstock on my way to an afternoon event. Must have looked like such a tourist. — I couldn’t resist stopping to snap this baboon painted onto a random wall in Woodstock on my way to an afternoon event. Must have looked like such a tourist.

Seemingly out of place afternoon coffee in a wine cellar.

That’s all, folks! Here’s to a weekend that’s so relaxing, it feels like an extra day snuck in for fun 🙂

Photos and memories

Bassie turns 8, Earth Hour 2015 and our own Blue Train trip of sorts…

April 3, 2015 ramblinglitchi 1 Comment

We made it to the first long weekend of 2015! I hope you’ve already had a very good Good Friday, filled with all the things you love most. Ours hasn’t been a very relaxing one as we’ve been doing lots of little chores around the house, mainly in the garden, but the grazed knuckles and aching arms are worth it when the garden of your dreams finally starts to take shape. More on that in the next blog update though – for now, I’ll show you what we’ve been up to since last Friday’s update…

Friday, 27 March 2015: Braai at home